Interview of the week – EGL – Egypt


this week we speak with

 

Medhat El Kady, Managing Director, EGL, Egypt


THE "WHO-WHERE-WHAT" CHALLENGE

medhat_el_kady.jpg

Medhat is a civil engineer. He graduated from the Faculty of Engineering in Alexandria in 1984. He worked as an engineer for a couple of years before joining the company.

He is a member of the Baltic Exchange, BIMCO, FONASBA, IATA and FIATA. Presently he is the chairman of the Egyptian Freight Forwarders Association, a board member of the Alexandria Chamber of Shipping, treasurer of the Alexandria Business Association and a board member of the Land and Maritime Transport Holding Co. which owns 4 container terminals, stevedoring companies and about 40 companies operating in public freight, passenger and sea transport in Egypt.

Medhat is also a member of the Egyptian Ports Planning Team and the National Railway Privatization Planning Team in Egypt, as well as serving as a consultant and main speaker in the field of maritime and logistics in the region.

Tell us about EGL. Who owns the company?

EGL was established in 1999, following the success story of the parent company Kadmar Shipping Co. founded in 1983 by my father and my role model Admiral Mahmoud Hatem El Kady. The group started with 4 employees and currently we have over 400 people working within our Group.

Admiral El Kady is a well-known figure in the maritime industry in Egypt and the Middle East. He is the chairman of the Arab Federation of Chambers of Shipping, as well as the founder of the Alexandria and Egyptian Chambers of Shipping.

Where are your offices located?

  • Egypt: Alexandria, El Dekheila , Abu Qir , Cairo, Cairo airport, Suez , Adabiya,  Sokhna, Port Said, Damietta and Safaga
  • Tunis: Sousse

Which is EGL's specialty and service range?

The best thing about EGL is that we have diverse experience in all sectors related to logistics such as sea freight (containers and general cargo), air freight, customs clearance, trucking and specialized transportation of heavy cargo and ODC.

Our competitive advantage is that we have many years of experience in shipping, we are equipment owners and we own more than 100,000 sq.m of warehouses in Egypt.

Main areas of activity:

  • Energy (Power – renewable)
  • Oil and Gas
  • Petrochemical
  • Industry
  • Rolling Stock

Tell us a few words about your experience, your expertise and your business in general.

Our business consists of:

Kadmar Shipping Co., which is the shipping agency, ship broker and stevedoring company of the Group and acts as a liner agent to HMM, Empros Lines, Orient Asia Lines.

EGL is the freight forwarding arm of the Group dealing with sea and air freight. We own a trucking company operating 100 trucks in Egypt. Our Project Cargo Department owns and operates hydraulic modular trailers, the newest in the market, telescopic trailers, jacking and skidding. Our Engineering Department is also very strong.

We also own and operate over 100,000 square meters of bonded and non-bonded warehouses and have our own customs brokers.

EGL is the largest local freight forwarder in Egypt. Together with Kadmar and THLG members we form the strongest project cargo forwarder in Egypt as we handle door-to-door transportation including ex. work, sea freight, unloading and delivery.

Tell us about projects that you have handled recently.

TSO/KSA – Orascom, Egypt Overseas Door-to-Door Locomotive Projects.

Project Details:

  • Total CBM 4,300 (Two Separate shipments)
  • Cargo Type Locomotive Diesel, Tamping Machine, Hopper Wagon & Wagon Flat
  • POL El-Dammam – KSA , POD Adabiya – EGYPT

Scope of Work in KSA

  • Nomination of a reliable partner in KSA to handle origin service
  • Route and site survey
  • Supply of cranes for site with loading capacity of up to 450 tons
  • In-land transportation from 3 different sites to the loading port
  • Port handling, customs clearance and stevedoring

Charting scope:  Hire geared vessel

Scope of Work in Egypt

  • Vessel berthing arrangement in coordination with Kadmar Shipping Co. (ship agent)
  • Route and site survey
  • Port handling, customs clearance and stevedoring
  • Obtaining all permits needed to get road permits from utility services, especially from the Road and Bridges Authority, as EGL succeeded to get consultant report to cross El Moneib River Nile bridge with a total weight of 180 tons
  • In-land transportations from the arrival port to the final destinations

Which are the main industries served in Egypt?

Power generation, petrochemical, petroleum, general cargo, and food stuff.

Which are the main ports used for serving breakbulk project cargo in Egypt?

Adabiya for Asia and the Far East inbound cargoes to the eastern part of the Nile.

Alexandria for the cargoes of upto 120 tons.

El Dekheila for units over 129 tons in the western part of the Nile.

Is special transport a competitive sector in Egypt? How do you ensure that you will stand out?

EGL is believed to have the newest fleet in the area as well as an engineering know-how department, along with a very strong marketing team.

What made you join the industry?

Following our government general trend in infrastructure projects, construction, mega and solar power plants, power substations, oil and gas projects, Kadmar Group top management realizes that we must be ready any time to meet market demand (especially in the heavy lift transportation).

That’s the reason that EGL joined the heavy lift industry and owns the newest equipment in Egypt.

What do you like the most about your business?

  • Challenges
  • Engineering innovations
  • Team spirit
  • Connections with utilities
  • Manpower and equipment planning

Who should be approached in EGL for inquiries?

INTERVIEW EGL.013.jpeg

Log In

Picture of Ridwan Ongkowidagdo

Ridwan Ongkowidagdo

[email protected]

Ridwan Ongkowidagdo is an Indonesian shipping executive with more than 25 years of experience in maritime transportation, finance, telecommunications, and corporate management.
He currently serves as Director of PT Pelayaran Taruna Kusan Jaya, a leading Indonesian heavy freight and heavy-lift shipping company, a position he has held since 2004. Prior to joining the maritime industry, he held financial management positions in several United States-based telecommunication technology and publishing companies, including Asiatel, Interpacket Networks, and McGraw-Hill.
Ridwan earned a Doctorate in Economics (Strategic Management) from Universitas Trisakti, an MBA in Finance and International Business from Loyola Marymount University (USA), a Master of Laws (MH) specializing in Maritime Commercial Law from Universitas Jayabaya, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arizona (USA).
His academic and professional interests focus on strategic management, sustainability, digital transformation, and competitive advantage in the shipping industry. His doctoral research examined the impact of sustainability and digitalization management on the competitiveness of small shipping companies in Indonesia and has been published in an international peer-reviewed journal.
In addition to his corporate leadership responsibilities, he has completed professional training in maritime law and arbitration, and marine HSQE (health, safety, quality and environment) auditing.

Picture of Clinton Eckersall

Clinton Eckersall

[email protected]

Clinton Eckersall is an Australian logistics executive with more than 27 years of experience in international freight forwarding, project logistics, and commercial leadership across four continents. His career spans both multinational corporations and privately owned businesses, giving him a broad perspective on how organizations of different scales approach complex logistics challenges. As Director at AAW Group, a privately owned Australian Logistics Group with operations across Australia and New Zealand, Clinton is based in Brisbane and leads the company's commercial strategy and international agent and network strategy. His nine years with AAW have seen him build the business's national sales capability and oversee its growth across gateway ports and specialist project freight markets. Clinton values the connections and collaboration that come with being part of a group like The Heavy Lift Group, and understands firsthand the role that trusted networks play in enabling independent operators to take on complex, multi-disciplinary projects with confidence. He is looking forward to meeting the group in person once again.

Picture of Ragan Watson

Ragan Watson

[email protected]

Ragan is a project logistics professional with 18 years of experience in heavy lift, project cargo transport, and specialized industrial rigging. Currently serving in a business development role for Barnhart across North America, he brings deep operational expertise earned over the prior 11 years in roles as Project Manager of Special Projects and Operations Manager of Heavy Transportation at Barnhart. Across each of these positions, Ragan has helped plan and lead project teams executing some of the most complex, demanding and award-winning projects in North America, consistently pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the field.
Ragan is a committed student of his craft, continuously learning from the knowledge of peers, clients, and teammates. He holds that trustworthiness and honesty are the foundation of any successful partnership.
Outside of work, Ragan spends his time helping raise his young family with his wife, Michelle. Ragan is also active playing music in a local band, long distance running and cooking.

Picture of Janesh Gulati

Janesh Gulati

[email protected]

Janesh Gulati has contributed extensively to the Project Logistics industry over a distinguished career spanning more than 42 years, serving in leadership roles, including CEO at J.M. Baxi & Co., and currently the Managing Director at Total Movements. During his tenure as CEO of J.M. Baxi’s Project Logistics vertical, he played a pivotal role in expanding the business and strengthening its position within the industry.
He has successful execution of a large number of Projects especially including many Super Thermal Coal Based Power Projects, Hydro Power Projects, Many Oil Refinery Projects & several complex Multimodal Transportation to his credit. He enjoys the confidence of a large number of EPC, Heavy Engineering customers for providing reliable and high quality logistics solutions.
He has played a key role in the Indian Project Logistics Industry over the past 4 decades and enjoys a stellar reputation in the industry.
He brings in his expertise in areas of Heavy Lift Transport, Multimodal Logistics, Organization Building, Financial Strategy, Procurement Strategy & Overall Business Strategy.

Picture of Grant Bell

Grant Bell

[email protected]

Grant joined NMT in 2005 and, after 12 years abroad in senior chartering roles based in China and Singapore, returned in 2020 to help lead operations globally. Now a Partner and Director, he drives execution and growth across Australia and key Asia-Pacific markets. Known for his systems thinking and hands-on style, Grant is passionate about building capable teams and delivering practical, no-nonsense solutions. He’s also a firm believer in keeping things simple, staying grounded, and sharing a laugh along the way.

Picture of Morris Mburu

Morris Mburu

[email protected]

Morris Mburu, FICS, is an accomplished logistics, transport, and shipping executive with over 30 years of leadership experience across the East African market. As the Managing Director and founder of Export Consolidation Services (K) Ltd, he successfully grew the company from a startup into a major regional logistics operation employing over 100 staff and operating a fleet of more than 50 heavy commercial vehicles across multiple African countries.
Morris is recognized for his expertise in strategic planning, operational management, business development, and stakeholder engagement. Throughout his career, he has built strong partnerships across the shipping and logistics sector while leading organizations through major industry changes and challenges.
He holds an MBA in Shipping and Logistics from Middlesex University, UK, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (FICS), with extensive knowledge in shipping, port management, logistics, and multimodal transport.

Picture of Murilo Caldana

Murilo Caldana

[email protected]

Murilo Caldana is a Brazilian project logistics executive with more than 25 years of experience in heavy lift, project cargo, and complex industrial logistics across Latin America, with his strongest background in Brazil. His experience in Mexico, where he lived and worked for over three years, not only opened the doors to a new language, but also provided deep exposure to the complexity, diversity, and business dynamics of Latin America as a whole.
As Project Director at FOX Brasil Project Logistics, he has led and supported major projects in sectors such as energy, mining, infrastructure, pulp & paper, and industrial plants across the region.
A long-standing member of The Heavy Lift Group, Murilo combines practical field experience with strategic market insight, bringing a strong perspective on Latin America’s opportunities, challenges, and the importance of collaboration in delivering complex global projects.

Picture of Iris Muellejans

Iris Muellejans

[email protected]

Iris Katrin Muellejans is Managing Partner Director of Rolf Riedl GmbH, an international freight forwarding company, which she has led for over 22 years after taking over the family business. She specializes in heavy lift and project logistics, with extensive experience across the power and energy sector, managing projects from initial feasibility studies through to full on-site execution. Her expertise spans overland, air, and ocean logistics, alongside rigging and foundation installation. Known for her hands-on approach, Iris combines strategic leadership with practical execution in delivering complex global transport solutions.

Picture of John Doe

John Doe

[email protected]

Colin is a seasoned veteran in the project logistics sector, having spent over 30 years in the industry. As of 2024, he was appointed Co-Vice President, Director of Project Logistics Global at Rhenus Logistics, where he oversees Rhenus Project offices across the Americas, India, China, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA). Based in New York, Colin has been with the company for over 30 years, originally starting at KOG Transport in 1995 before it was acquired by Rhenus Logistics in 2015.
In addition to his leadership role, Colin emphasizes teamwork, mentoring the younger generation, and maintaining strong, long-term relationships with clients. He is known to strongly believe in customer-centric service and collaborative, tailor-made logistics solutions.

Picture of Christian Buss

Christian Buss

[email protected]

Christian Buss is Head of Chartering at Briese Chartering GmbH & Co. KG, based in Leer, Germany. He brings nearly two decades of experience in the multipurpose and project cargo shipping sector, having previously held senior roles at EMS Chartering and BBC Chartering. Throughout his career, he has developed deep expertise in global chartering markets, commercial strategy, and complex cargo solutions.

Picture of Jaap Gebraad

Jaap Gebraad

[email protected]

Jaap Gebraad has worked for about 10 years as Board Secretary and Senior Project Manager of the "Bureau Innovation Research & Development" of the Foundation STC Group. He was also the Daily Secretary of the European Association EDINNA (Education in Inland Navigation). From 2018 to March 2022, Jaap was Director Research and Development Affairs at SEA Europe and Executive-Director of the Waterborne Technology Platform. Jaap holds a Bachelor's Degree in Logistics and Economics of the University of Applied Sciences (HES) in Rotterdam.

Picture of George Tzogopoulos

George Tzogopoulos

[email protected]

Dr George N. Tzogopoulos (Ph.D. Loughborough University, UK, 2009), expert in media and international relations as well as Chinese affairs, is member of Centre international de formation européenne (CIFE) core faculty. At CIFE, he directs the modules on 'conflict and cooperation in the international system' and 'international energy governance and conflict'. George is the author of three books: US Foreign Policy in the European Media: Framing the Rise and Fall of Neoconservatism (IB TAURIS), The Greek Crisis in the Media: Stereotyping in the International Press (Ashgate) and The Miracle of China: The New Symbiosis with the World (Springer). George is also Non-Resident Fellow at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA), Senior Fellow at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), Research Associate at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), and part-time Lecturer at the Democritus University of Thrace.

Picture of Panos Patsadas

Panos Patsadas

[email protected]

Panos Patsadas is holding of a BSC in Applied Mathematics, a master’s degree in International Trade and Transport, and is also a certified Life Coach, alongside his career in Shipping. Over the last 20 years, Panos has held various managerial and leadership positions in the Breakbulk, Heavylift, Gas and Petrochemicals industries, working for Large Shipowners and Energy Majors. This has helped him develop a deep understanding of the Energy Supply chain challenges, both at Infrastructural level, as well as at the logistics and the downstream side of it. In his current role as Global Chartering Manager for Trans Global Projects, he is part of a small team that serves 6 international offices with their chartering requirements, as well as oversees the tonnage procurement for large EPC projects.

Privacy Overview
thlg_new_logo_200.jpg

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Necessary

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Analytics

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance